What my Soho House membership means to me
From making meaningful connections to expanding horizons, four Soho House members reveal the best things about their membership
Wednesday 7 December 2022 By Soho House
From the access it provides to our unique locations across the globe, to the creative community you become a part of the moment your application is approved, Soho House membership is meaningful.
But it’s a point far better heard directly from the members. So, we asked four of them – from the UK, Amsterdam, New York and Mumbai – to tell us what their membership means to them.
‘Use the pools, leverage the cultural programming and don’t be afraid to speak to people’
Stephen Mai, London
Cofounder of Woo
Shoreditch House member since 2015
‘Soho House feels like my second home. It’s where I can catch up, have fun, work out and meet people. The poolside mornings over London in the summer still blow my mind. It amazes me that you can live like you’re on holiday in the middle of the city.’
‘For me, the appeal of becoming a member of Soho House was the idea of global creatives mixing in beautiful spaces all over the world, with delicious food and the occasional poolside bed. I like that a members’ club can feel so casual and laid back, and that the people tend to be sociable and have interesting stories. It always surprises me how chilled everyone is.’
‘In London, my favourite House is 180. I love the interiors, and the pool with views of all the city landmarks is hard to beat. Internationally, I am a huge fan of Soho House Berlin – especially the store on the ground floor – and DUMBO House in New York is just jaw dropping. I have a soft spot for Shoreditch, too, where I swim. I’ve lost hours and even days in Shoreditch over the years.’
‘The best party I ever went to at Soho House was the Universal BRITS afterparty at the 180 pop-up (before it became 180 House). They turned what was an empty building into a fully functioning Soho House. Famous guests, awesome food, plus a bit of a spectacle.’
‘If you get a Soho House membership, I would recommend you make the most of it. Use the pools, leverage the cultural programming and don’t be afraid to speak to people.’
‘On an average day at the Houses, I like to sunbathe poolside, where I’ll have my usual flat white with oat milk, and poached eggs and avocado before work. Later on, I might work out and have a sauna. I’ll end the day with dinner at Pen Yen and see where the night takes me.’
For more information and to apply for Soho House membership click here.
‘Many of the members I have met within the Soho House network have been invaluable connections for me as a creative’
Dominek Tubbs, New York
Operations management at Squarespace by day and food content creator for her brand Dom N’ The City by night
Ludlow House member since 2022
‘My Soho membership is valuable to me, because it grants me access to an environment where I can network with like-minded creatives, enjoy a variety of programming, handle professional affairs, and also have a good time.’
‘My favourite House to visit when I’m travelling is Chicago. The lobby is so unique, they have a diverse membership, an awesome rotation of DJs, and some great views of the Windy City from their rooftop.’
‘Many of the members I have met within the Soho House network have been invaluable connections for me as a creative. Kelsey, the membership manager at Ludlow, does such a great job of being a dot connector for members of shared talents and interests.’
‘The best event I’ve ever attended at Soho House was a podcast recording for Black Men Cry Too during Mental Health Awareness Month. The platform is dedicated to helping Black men share their truth and find mental health resources.’
‘On an average Friday, I’ll arrive at Ludlow House at 12 just in time for a latte and a quick lunch. Then, I use the space until about 4pm to knock out some co-working tasks. I’ll order a Mezcal Picante as I’m closing my laptop, before texting my friends to confirm their ETA for an early kiki over cocktails. We’ll grab dinner at DuckedUp where, of course, I order the duck. We’ll invariably stay so long that we’ll decide to check out what tracks the DJ is spinning.’
For more information and to apply for Soho House membership click here.
‘At Soho House everyone is equal and any preferential treatment disappears’
Tess Joseph, Mumbai
Casting director
Soho House Mumbai member since 2018
‘I feel at home at Soho House Mumbai, where time feels less rushed, and the environment is warm and non-intrusive. The House is a space where I can be me, whether I’m alone or with company. From the team running the show to a random member I meet on an elevator ride, there’s warmth in every connection.’
‘Soho House has always felt “thoda hatke” (“a little different” in Hindi) in the hustle and bustle of a city where who you are often determines how you are treated in public spaces. At Soho House everyone is equal and any preferential treatment disappears. And I love that every House is a photography and phone-free zone.’
‘I have too many great memories from Soho House to list here. From performing at the most intimate Kommune storytelling and spoken word showcase, I love that what remains is a memory that connects all of us rather than pictures online. I’ve collaborated and built films and OTT shows at Soho House. And I’ve had some of my best (and worst) dates there.’
‘Soho House membership opens you to a global cultural and creative ethos. If you want a space full of other creatively minded people and an alternative option to working from home, Soho House gives you both – plus member events that allow you to stay connected to the arts scene and let your hair down. It’s a quiet club, perfect for the working creative who craves a space where you can switch off from the world and switch back on to collaborate, meet and mingle on your own terms. And if you’re a working creative person who travels, Soho House feels like a comfortable global extension of your everyday.’
For more information and to apply for Soho House membership click here.
Photography by Ritika Shah
‘For me, it just made sense to join, as it was where I always ended up with my colleagues or friends’
Stefanos Constantinou, Amsterdam
VP of brand partnerships and general manager at Highsnobiety
Soho House Amsterdam member since 2019
‘Travelling for work is only sometimes fun. Soho House provides you with the kind of environment you want to be in when you’re feeling either homesick or you need to combine both work meetings and entertainment. For me, it just made sense to join, as it was where I always ended up with my colleagues or friends.’
‘My favourite spot in all of the global Houses is DUMBO. I can sit on the roof terrace overlooking the bridge for hours during the summer. Nothing beats a good lunch there, too. But as I work for a German company, Berlin is my go-to. It’s ideally located with all the amenities someone like me needs.’
‘Once, when I was using the gym, I met AKA Block, a Dutch singer who lives and performs in London. We had a conversation about art and how it is to be a tourist in your city. Since then, I’ve followed his career and new releases, which I enjoy.’
‘To anyone who’s thinking about applying for membership, I would say do it. Just as Soho House’s global presence expands, so does the creative community that comes with it. It’s full of people from different backgrounds and life paths, and it fills me with energy and makes me return. There are amazing rooms to sleep in, a gym, a cinema, a restaurant, a bar and a spa. If these things aren’t enough to enhance your life, then I don’t know what is.’
‘I might be biased, but by far the best event I’ve attended at Soho House was the Highsnobiety x Y-3 party during fashion week in Paris. Seeing friends from Hong Kong and then Jerry Lorenzo casually walking in made it a night to remember.’
For more information and to apply for Soho House membership click here.